The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

"But what?" Yang Rong's heartstrings were gripped, and she asked eagerly.

Green Pearl sighed softly, her tone tinged with helplessness and heartache: "Although Xiao Jinyan is safe and sound, Zixuan... she sacrificed herself in this assassination attempt while protecting Xiao Jinyan..."

At this point, Green Pearl's words came to an abrupt halt, as if even she herself could hardly bear the truth that was about to be revealed.

"What happened to Zixuan?" Yang Rong's voice trembled violently, afraid to hear a heavy and sad news.

Green Pearl lowered her head, her eyes darting around, and said, "Sister, are you worried about Zi Xuan?"

Yang Rong said resolutely, "Nonsense, of course I'm worried about her! Zixuan is like a sister to me, how could I not care about her safety?"

“Sister,” Green Pearl said tentatively, “Zi Xuan…she betrayed you, and you still consider her a sister?”

A flicker of disbelief flashed in Yang Rong's clear, watery eyes as she said sharply, "Green Pearl, what are you saying? Zi Xuan is our sister no matter what. Tell me quickly, what happened to Zi Xuan?"

Seeing this, Green Pearl felt a mix of emotions and quickly told the truth: "Sister, Zi Xuan... is injured, but it's not fatal. She just needs to rest for a while."

Upon hearing this, Yang Rong's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a hint of relief flashed in her eyes.

"Oh, then I'm relieved." Yang Rong's voice was gentle yet firm. "It must have been tough on Zi Xuan. Perhaps she had her own reasons for going through all this."

Green Pearl quietly observed Yang Rong's changing expressions, from initial shock to eventual relief. Every subtle movement revealed Yang Rong's deep care and understanding for Zi Xuan. This tolerance and magnanimity warmed Green Pearl's heart. She thought to herself, "It seems Yang Rong still has some humanity. Although she's strict, she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and she doesn't just treat the Four Beauties of the Capital as her tools."

After all, humans aren't plants or trees; how can they be without feelings?

Yang Rong, however, thought to herself, "Heh... Green Pearl, don't think I don't know. Actually, you and Zi Xuan have long since sided with Xiao Jin Yan. I was just testing my reaction to Zi Xuan; this little brat has really gotten to her. Too bad, the devil is always one step ahead. When I was out in the game, you were still playing in the mud!"

There's no other way; morale is low, and the team is hard to lead. We have to rely more on emotional appeals. Otherwise, the whole world will abandon you…

“Green Pearl,” Yang Rong said softly, her eyes full of affection, “Zi Xuan is our good sister. Go and prepare some nourishing food. We’ll visit her again once her injuries have improved.”

Green Pearl nodded gently, her eyes shining with gratitude: "Sister, you truly have the heart of a Bodhisattva, so considerate and caring towards us sisters. It's just..."

Green Pearl paused slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing across her face, as if some unspeakable words were stuck in her throat.

Seeing this, Yang Rong asked softly, "But what?"

Green Pearl bit her lower lip and slowly said, "However, among the four beauties of the capital, my sister and I are all like sisters, but I still don't know who is ranked first."

The person ranked first among the Four Beauties of the Capital is extremely mysterious; only Yang Rong knows her true identity, and Yang Rong has never revealed it to anyone else. Xiao Jinyan has asked Green Pearl about this person several times already.

Upon hearing this, Yang Rong's eyes flickered slightly, as if a sensitive nerve had been touched. She gently smoothed her sleeve and resolutely said, "This person is of utmost importance, and I will naturally place her in the most crucial position."

Upon hearing this, Green Pearl's curiosity intensified, and she quickly asked, "Where did you arrange for her, sister?"

"You'll find out when the time comes," Yang Rong gently patted the back of Green Pearl's hand. "Alright, it's getting late, get some rest."

Green Pearl wanted to ask more, but seeing Yang Rong's solemn expression, as if unwilling to say more, she had no choice but to suppress her eagerness and put on a docile appearance: "Sister, you should rest early too."

----------

The following day, at the manor outside the city.

With a gentle spring breeze and bright sunshine, Xiao Jinyan traveled lightly and secretly infiltrated a secluded manor located outside Jiankang City.

Nestled among lush trees, the manor is like a secluded paradise, isolated from the world.

Xiao Jinyan walked briskly through the winding stone path and finally stopped in front of He Qiongying's room, an elegantly decorated room that exuded a faint fragrance.

Gently push open the door, and a ray of soft sunlight shines through the delicate window frame, adding a touch of warmth to the tranquil space.

He Qiongying sat gracefully before the bronze mirror, a light gauze dress draped over her body, like a flower blooming in the morning mist, both hazy and enchanting. Her figure was graceful, her curves exquisite, and her skin as white as jade, exuding the mature charm and gentle temperament unique to a young woman.

Upon first seeing He Qiongying, Xiao Jinyan suddenly understood why Cao Cao had a penchant for married women—because married women were truly alluring. This is a process from questioning Mengde (Cao Cao), to understanding Mengde, and finally to becoming like Mengde.

It is said that He Qiongying is the kind of woman with rather strong tastes, roughly the same type as Yang Rong and Lü Zhu. However, Yang Rong and Lü Zhu are both too young. Yang Rong is no more than twenty years old, and Lü Zhu is two or three years younger than Yang Rong, so they do not have any sense of being a married woman.

He Qiongying possessed a strong sense of wifely charm. About ten years older than Lüzhu, she exuded an alluring aura. Moreover, unlike Yang Rong, whose seductive charm was overtly apparent and pervasive, He Qiongying's allure was subtle, concealed within, only revealed unintentionally.

Or perhaps, dig deeper...

Upon seeing Xiao Jinyan's sudden visit, a hint of surprise flashed in He Qiongying's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. She stood up and said softly, "Young Master, why have you come? Why didn't you send someone to inform us beforehand?"

Xiao Jinyan's gaze lingered on He Qiongying for a moment, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up within him. He slowly stepped into the room, gently closed the door, and said with a solemn expression, "Yesterday outside the city, I encountered a sudden assassination attempt, and the situation was critical. Therefore, I have come here specifically to ask the Crown Princess for a few things."

Upon hearing this, He Qiongying's expression changed drastically, and she unconsciously tightened the handkerchief in her hand: "What? Someone tried to assassinate you? Are you alright? Are you injured?"

Xiao Jinyan shook her head slightly, a bitter smile playing on her lips: "Thanks to Tan Lin, he appeared in time and single-handedly fought off those assassins, which is why I am safe and sound. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Upon hearing the name "Tan Lin," a complex expression flashed in He Qiongying's eyes, a mixture of shock and disbelief: "What? Tan Lin? He's still alive?"

He Qiongying only knew about the coup in the palace and Tan Lin's whereabouts, but she never expected to hear news about him again.